The Devourer stood as beautiful as before with its branches covering the whole Imperial Palace. The tranquility it provided was unmatched, as even Qing Zhiyan and Li Xiaojing were affected by it.
Shen Yu snorted and dispelled the Soul based affects of the Devourer. Although it was sleeping, it had already spread its influence far accross the Empire.
The subtle manipulation it did was very dangerous, especially since people wouldn't even realise they were being manupliated.
They would offer their lives to the Devourer with their own will.
With a sigh, Shen Yu said.
"This is the reason that bastard was behaving so strangely."
Li Xiaojing frowned and asked.
"But what could this Great Tree do? I don't even sense any sentience from it so it surely isn't any Spritual Creature."
Shen Yu chuckled.
"You don't sense it because this fucker is in deep sleep to recover from it's injuries. If a Tier 8 Spiritual Creature wanted to hide from you, do you think you can do anything?"
Hearing his words, a shocked expression appeared on the two women's face. They looked at the crimson red tree in a new light, as they still found it hard to believe that the tree before them was a Tier 8.
One had to understand that even Tier 5 Spiritual Creatures were considered to highest level threat that could cause chaos in the Empire.
If a Tier 6 Spritual Creature attacked the Empire then they woke suffer heavy casualties even if they somehow managed to defeat it.
As for Tier 7 Spiritual Creature, if any of them attacked then the Empire was doomed for sure. The whole Empire would be ravaged into dust.
This was what a Tier 7 represented. And now, they were actually seeing a Tier 8 Spiritual Creature right before them, it was already a miracle that they were standing straight after hearing such news.
Shen Yu saw their expression and said.
"Don't worry, it isn't in it's prime now, that's why it is slumbering here in a remote place. If it were in peak though, that would be a different case as this Spritual Creature is one of the most horrifying creature I've ever met."
He shivered, remembering how his predecessor had almost given his life for the tree out of his own will. It was a disturbing memory for him.
Qing Zhiyan gulped down her saliva. If even her Master was saying this was horrifying then just how powerful was it?
She took a deep breath and asked.
"How dangerous it is?"
Shen Yu thought for a bit and answered.
"It really depends. The tree doesn't have that much strength in itself but it's abilities are terrifying. So, it all comes down to how you're fighting the tree. If it is in Shadows, then even top sects of outside world would fall but if they face it directly then it's a different matter."
Li Xiaojing touched the bark of The Devourer and asked.
"How is it affecting Yicheng?"
With a shrug, Shen Yu said.
"Because he's an idiot and greedy person. The Devourer probably promised him some rewards and he agreed. And agreeing to anything with the Devourer is just death sentence."
He smiled and continued.
"D-Don't leave me, Master...Mom needs you..."
Li Xiaojing clenched her fist as she closed her eyes, trying to keep the tears in her eyes. Then, she took a deep breath and sat on a chair beside the bed, her hand holding Qing Zhiyan's hand..
Shen Yu went to the other side and took Qing Zhiyan's other hand in his hand. He patted it and said.
"Just sleep already."
It was as if Qing Zhiyan could see everything even in her sleep and knew that her two most important person in her life were beside her. Because of that, she slept with a content smile on her face.
Li Xiaojing continued to look at her daughter, wondering how much more suffering she would have to go through.
Shen Yu saw her expression and bowed his head.
"I'm sorry. It is kind of my fault since I didn't regulate the essence overflowing near the Devourer."
Li Xiaojing woke up from her daze and when she saw Shen Yu's action, she grew embarassed as and waved her other hand.
"What are you saying, Master Shen? It's only because of you Xiaoyan didn't suffer this time so how could I blame you for it."
Shen Yu got confused and asked.
"What do you mean? I was clearly late."
Li Xiaojing smiled bitterly and replied.
"Looks like Master Shen doesn't know about the effects of her eyes in details. You see, this isn't the first time this happened. These...events are similar to visions she receives every so often. But these are slightly different as they come off randomly."
She patted Qing Zhiyan's hand and continued.
"She has not shared the details of what actually happens, probably not to make me worry but I'm sure it's something incredibly terrible. Every time this happens, she would lose consciousness for a some time in which she would constantly be in pain as if she is witnessing something extremely horrifying."
She looked at her daughter and said.
"The time period varies as the strongest lasted for a over month. That month was the worst for me. I could do nothing but watch as my daughter writhes in pain and agony. I just stood by her side, trying to show her that she isn't alone. I don't know if it worked or not but that was the only thing I could do."
Shen Yu sighed as he thought.
'It definitely worked. She might not have survived those without your support. The Nightmares of Heaven are too terrifying so how could a child withstand them. I never thought the heavens would even subject her to this.'
Li Xiaojing didn't see Shen Yu's expression as her focus was entirely on Qing Zhiyan.
"This is the first time I have seen her sleep so peacefully, Master Shen. How can I blame you for anything? She trusted you and you didn't let her down. I'm glad she chose someone like you."
She turned towards Shen Yu and said.
"I know she has offered herself to you for the compensation but I do hope you treat her well."
Shen Yu waved his hand in dismissal.
"Don't make it sound like it's transactional. I'm doing everything because I want to do. It's not because she is Qing Zhiyan, I would have helped anyone who is going through things like this. It may sound weird but I am a kind man. So, don't make it transactional."
Li Xiaojing giggled.
"Xiaoyan said you would say something like this. I'm glad she found a partner like you. Still, I feel like you're taking the short end of stick, Master Shen. I know you're doing this selflessly but I still want to do something for you. So, Master Shen, please ask for anything you desire from me and I will do my absolute best to do it."